Showing posts with label Euro 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Euro 2008. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Lightning on the field
I'm still trying to figure out why so many Euro '08 matches continued in bad weather - perhaps only rain was involved, with no thunder and lightning?
Monday, June 30, 2008
American English is an accent
Jack Bell rails at the preference of some for all things English.
My gripe about American announcers, however, is that too many of them are tied up in the insular soccer structure of the U.S. to have any independent opinions. It was painful to hear John Harkes try to be objective about DC United when commenting on their match versus the LA Galaxy. It was almost a relief when he finally just gave in to talking about his days with a young, pre-injury Ben Olsen and speculating about Moreno's thoughts while on the bench. I certainly didn't expect someone that tied in with the Washington club to give an objective assessment of Gallardo's elbow to Landon Donovan.
Greg Lalas, meanwhile, has his own credibility issues, as not only a former Revs player, but as the brother of the LA Galaxy's GM, Alexi.
At least those with direct ties to the people in the league have an excuse for pulling punches - some announcers are just so neutral about every aspect of a match that it sounds like announcing via the school of court reporting. Who passed to whom and who scored without ever any nuance or insightful observation, or interesting tidbit, or anything.
But far and away the biggest sin for me is that American announcers all too often sound so terrifically bored. That laid-back style is fine for the pace of baseball, but in soccer, players are tearing up and down the field with the ball while an announcing team discusses trivia like they're feeding ducks at the park. It sets my teeth on edge.
Granted, I grew up watching a lot of soccer in Spanish, and the goal calls that annoy some people are a classic essential for me. Different strokes, I realize.
My gripe about American announcers, however, is that too many of them are tied up in the insular soccer structure of the U.S. to have any independent opinions. It was painful to hear John Harkes try to be objective about DC United when commenting on their match versus the LA Galaxy. It was almost a relief when he finally just gave in to talking about his days with a young, pre-injury Ben Olsen and speculating about Moreno's thoughts while on the bench. I certainly didn't expect someone that tied in with the Washington club to give an objective assessment of Gallardo's elbow to Landon Donovan.
Greg Lalas, meanwhile, has his own credibility issues, as not only a former Revs player, but as the brother of the LA Galaxy's GM, Alexi.
At least those with direct ties to the people in the league have an excuse for pulling punches - some announcers are just so neutral about every aspect of a match that it sounds like announcing via the school of court reporting. Who passed to whom and who scored without ever any nuance or insightful observation, or interesting tidbit, or anything.
But far and away the biggest sin for me is that American announcers all too often sound so terrifically bored. That laid-back style is fine for the pace of baseball, but in soccer, players are tearing up and down the field with the ball while an announcing team discusses trivia like they're feeding ducks at the park. It sets my teeth on edge.
Granted, I grew up watching a lot of soccer in Spanish, and the goal calls that annoy some people are a classic essential for me. Different strokes, I realize.
"The Kid" converts
"El Niño" is Fernando Torres' nickname. In this cartoon, the stunned German says, "I thought it would be easy, like taking candy from a kid."
Torres (has to be him, he's the only blondie on the Spanish team) responds, "Idiot! Don't you know the Fury is ageless?" as he carts away the Euro Cup.
Torres (has to be him, he's the only blondie on the Spanish team) responds, "Idiot! Don't you know the Fury is ageless?" as he carts away the Euro Cup.
Cover Boys
Yesterday, today and always, all with the Reds
MARCA 1-0 Spain-Germany
It's no longer a dream, it's real. . . We're Champions!
MARCA 1-0 Spain-Germany
It's no longer a dream, it's real. . . We're Champions!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Has a sleeping giant awoken?
Long thought of as underachievers, Spain put the finishing touches on a tremendous showing at Euro 2008. Spain demolished the opposition in the first round and finally put their past to rest against Italy as Spain ousted the Italians via penalties. From there, a 3-0 semifinal win over Russia and Sunday's 1-0 win over Germany were somehwat anticlimactic. The championship was destined for Spain; all they had to do was claim it, which they did.
Given the abundance of Spanish talent available and the elite status of Spain's La Liga, it seems everything has long been in place for Spanish successes at European Championships and World Cups. Now that Spain finally has won a title, for the first time since 1964, has Spain joined the ranks of the upper echelon?
Is Spain a legit world power? Or do they still need to succeed at the World Cup? After all, Spain last reached the final four of a World Cup in 1950.
Spain could certainly pull a France and win two major tournaments in three years time. France beat Brazil to win the 1998 World Cup, then beat Italy to win Euro 2000. Spain will likely be considered one of the teams to beat entering the 2010 World Cup regardless of the draw and now that they shed their underachiever status, perhaps they can play with confidence they've not enjoyed for quite some time, if ever.
Given the abundance of Spanish talent available and the elite status of Spain's La Liga, it seems everything has long been in place for Spanish successes at European Championships and World Cups. Now that Spain finally has won a title, for the first time since 1964, has Spain joined the ranks of the upper echelon?
Is Spain a legit world power? Or do they still need to succeed at the World Cup? After all, Spain last reached the final four of a World Cup in 1950.
Spain could certainly pull a France and win two major tournaments in three years time. France beat Brazil to win the 1998 World Cup, then beat Italy to win Euro 2000. Spain will likely be considered one of the teams to beat entering the 2010 World Cup regardless of the draw and now that they shed their underachiever status, perhaps they can play with confidence they've not enjoyed for quite some time, if ever.
Germany/Spain running blog
The final! Will Spain throw off the mantle of underachiever? Will Germany triumph, sending the momentum of its fans gained during the World Cup into a frenzy?
Funny how Foudy talks about how goalkeepers need games to be sharp in reference to Jens Lehmann. Foudy didn't say anything like that when saying she wouldn't want to play in front of Hope Solo after Solo protested getting replaced at the Women's World Cup by Scurry, who had hardly played.
There's a bunch of pregame stuff - including a song by Enrique Iglesias, the anthem of the Cup. Can you hear me? Doesn't seem too connected to soccer.
Here come the teams. Ballack is a starter. So is Cesc.
Spain: Casillas, Marchena, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Silva and Torres.
Germany : Lehmann, Friedrich, Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Frings, Hitzelsperger, Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Klose and Podolski.
Spain stand stoically as their non-lyric anthem, the Royal March plays. Germany belts their song out, as do plenty of German fans in the stands.
Iker and Ballack shake hands.
Kickoff!
2 - Gray says that it's in the German nature to get the job done.
4 - So far, though, it's been almost all Spain possessing early, though they're not really penetrating. And Germany nearly steal one - Klose nabs a bad backpass, but his touch isn't great and he loses the ball.
7 - Gray cracks on Capdevila being far offside, calls it "ridiculous".
8 - Ballack shows he has some moves, beats Puyol, but his cross doesn't find a match.
9 - Hitzelsperger with a shot, but it doesn't really test Casillas.
12 - Torres is all alone up high. The announcers seem to think Spain going back to their old formation is a good idea. I'm not sure.
13 - Germany corner, Casillas punches it way out. It's served back in but Casillas has it.
15 - Almost an own goal - Iniesta in the box pokes in a cross that deflects off Mertesacker and Lehman has to save the goal-bound ball.
Germany clear the ensuing corner.
17 - FK for Spain, a ways out. Lehmann comes up with it.
18 - Torres in the box, gets dispossessed, goes down, no call.
19 - Gray wants Gullit to explain the Galaxy's loss. Did he see the game?
20 - Torres with some tricky play earns a FK deep on the right. When it's taken, Torres does get a head on it, but can't direct it well and it pops over the goal.
22 - Off the post! Torres nearly had the opening goal on a header where he out-jumped his defender. So close.
25 - Podolski gets a corner kick for Germany. the service is cleared, but it goes right back into the box, where Ballack takes a sideswipe at it, hitting Ramos in the side with the ball. Spain are able to clear, but that was also close for Germany.
28 - The game is back and forth with both teams taking advantage of the extra room on counters.
30 - Torres versus Mertesacker in the box, Torres can't get his shot off, but Mertesacker gives up a corner.
32 - Cesc with a shot - but Lehmann gets down and claims the ball.
33 - GOAL! Torres finally breaks through. Xavi sends in a pass, and Lahmn can't shield effectively as Lehmann comes out for it. Torres just gets there and puts the ball over the diving Lehmann. 1-0 Spain.
Torres celebrates with a classic knee slide.
36 - Ballack is off the field with a cut on his head.
37 - While he's getting stitched, Germany earn a dangerous FK. Ballack's not there to take it, and Schwiengstieger hoofs it way out.
39 - Ballack is sent off again, because his stitches are bleeding. Germany need to use the electrical tape that Justin Braun had on after his injury last night.
40 - Again, Germany earn a dangerous FK while Ballack is off. Germany get to retake the kick. Ballack gets on before the rekick. The FK is cleared for a corner. Casillas punches it out. Germany reclaim and continue the attack - another corner.
42 - Xavi prevents a German shot, and Spain try to clear.
43 - Gray is angry at the ref for not calling advantage and for not carding Ballack for his persistent fouls. Iker comes out to argue with the ref about it. Although he's the captain, the ref cards him for dissent, though Ballack also gets a yellow.
45 - Spain on the counter - Iniesta has the ball in the box, but doesn't pass to Torres in time, though he gets the corner. It's taken short, and Spain work the ball around, but can't get a shot off against the German defense.
Halftime!
Germany definitely look second-best at this point, but have time to show better in the second half and are only a goal down.
50 - Klose down for a bit - ran into a kick. Lahm is out this half, and Gray thinks it's due to injury, though I think Loew might blame Lahmm for the goal against Germany.
53 - "Little Xavi" as Gray likes to call him - cracks a shot that gets deflected for a corner.
Corner leads to a shot by Silva that's deflected wide.
55 - Torres in another footrace into the box, but this time, Lehmann is off his line quicker to smother the shot.
57 - The game is much more open, but this time Spain is conceding possession and striking back via counter.
58 - Frings boots ball away after he fouls, but the ref lets it go. Hitzelsperger is taken off for Karanyi.
60 - Ballack with a shot as the Spanish defense falters slightly - it's wide, but just barely.
61 - It's enough to revive the German fans, who are loud again.
62 - Ballack with a cross - Casillas outleaps Kuranyi to it. The Germans look dangerous again, attacking with more verve.
63 - Schweinsteiger with a shot - or a cross? Whatever, he walloped the heck out of the ball, and it ricocheted of Klose and went just wide.
64 - Cesc is getting taken off for Xabi Alonso.
66 - Podolski and Silva face off and Silva does nod his head forward slightly, but the ref missed it - could have been a send-off, but Podolski wasn't hit hard. It was away from the ball.
The FK for Germany is sent poorly by Schweinsteiger.
67 - Cazorla comes in for Silva. Spain have bent, but not broken under the recent German pressure.
68 - Spanish FK - Ramos gets free and sends a header straight to Lehmann. The corner results in a shot that Frings clears off the post. Another corner.
69 - Off the corner, Iniesta with a shot. Lehmann blocks, but can't hang on. It's out for a Spanish throw.
70 - Finally Germany are out of immediate danger - offside is called on Spain, though Gray believes it was passive.
71 - Casillas confronts a dangerous German FK with a solid punch that clears the ball far out.
72 - If I were a ref, I wouldn't give Kuranyi a call just for that pretentious facial hair.
74 - Spain looking for a safety cushion, Germany looking for the equalizer, Gray hoping that a bad call doesn't settle a close game.
75 - Torres fights for a header and gets booked with a yellow. Gray is horrified at the call and points out to Healey how poor it was.
76 - Torres on a break, puts ball past Mertesacker but within reach of Lehmann, who grabs it.
77 - On another counter, Spain manage to earn a corner.
78 - Torres is out for Guiza now. So far, Torres is the hero, but there is time left. Mario Gomez is coming in for the Germans, replacing Klose.
Long pass to Guiza brings Lehmann out of his box - replay shows he handled the ball just slightly after crossing the line, but it goes uncalled.
80 - Spanish counter brakes at the German box, weak shot by Capdevilla stopped by Lehmann.
82 - Senna with a chance to seal it, alone in front of the box, couldn't reach the knock-down header. So, so close.
83 - Metzelder pulls at the face of Guiza, leading to a Spain FK. It's taken square, and the shot rebounds off Metzelder and goes out.
84 - "It only takes a second to score," says Healey, presumably chiding slightly the Spanish fans that are already celebrating.
86 - Spain looks closer to scoring, but they haven't. Corner leads to FK for Spain.
88 - German fans join the noise of Spanish celebration - imploring their team to score.
CRAP! The signals skipped and went black twice just now. I thought they promised that wouldn't happen again.
Kuranyi late on a slide tackle to Senna. Gets yellow for it.
90 - Gray gives credit to Spain for continuing to attack. But Germany finally manage a counter and lob the ball into the box, where their tall forwards have a chance, but Gomez fouls.
90+ Three extra minutes - Germany with another chance, but the cross is overhit.
Screen cuts out again. Dang. Announcers don't mention it, so maybe it's me and my cable service. Picture is back now.
Desperate Germany continue to try to get forward, but Puyol heads the ball away from the larger German players.
Final whistle!
It's over! Spain wins! Spain wins! Torres' goal held up and the Red Fury finally came through. Germany fall just short. Nice. Spain really played the better soccer throughout the whole tourney and deserved to win.
"Que viva Espana," ventures Healey a little tentatively, but I give him props for the effort. Torres claims a Spanish flag from fans and wears it as a cape. The Spanish supporters are going crazy - they may not be able to sing an anthem before the game, but they're singing now.
Aragones is getting air-tossed by his team. Be careful with the old guy - dudes.
Tommy Smythe says "the demons are gone" for Spain. Foudy says Spain is "letting go of some of those jinxes".
"Si, si, si! La Copa esta aqui!" chant Spanish players holding the trophy. Yes, yes, yes, the Cup is here! "Spain reign." says Healey.
That doesn't leave much to say. "We are the Champions" blares over the stadium sound system as the coverage ends of Euro '08.
Funny how Foudy talks about how goalkeepers need games to be sharp in reference to Jens Lehmann. Foudy didn't say anything like that when saying she wouldn't want to play in front of Hope Solo after Solo protested getting replaced at the Women's World Cup by Scurry, who had hardly played.
There's a bunch of pregame stuff - including a song by Enrique Iglesias, the anthem of the Cup. Can you hear me? Doesn't seem too connected to soccer.
Here come the teams. Ballack is a starter. So is Cesc.
Spain: Casillas, Marchena, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Silva and Torres.
Germany : Lehmann, Friedrich, Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Frings, Hitzelsperger, Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Klose and Podolski.
Spain stand stoically as their non-lyric anthem, the Royal March plays. Germany belts their song out, as do plenty of German fans in the stands.
Iker and Ballack shake hands.
Kickoff!
2 - Gray says that it's in the German nature to get the job done.
4 - So far, though, it's been almost all Spain possessing early, though they're not really penetrating. And Germany nearly steal one - Klose nabs a bad backpass, but his touch isn't great and he loses the ball.
7 - Gray cracks on Capdevila being far offside, calls it "ridiculous".
8 - Ballack shows he has some moves, beats Puyol, but his cross doesn't find a match.
9 - Hitzelsperger with a shot, but it doesn't really test Casillas.
12 - Torres is all alone up high. The announcers seem to think Spain going back to their old formation is a good idea. I'm not sure.
13 - Germany corner, Casillas punches it way out. It's served back in but Casillas has it.
15 - Almost an own goal - Iniesta in the box pokes in a cross that deflects off Mertesacker and Lehman has to save the goal-bound ball.
Germany clear the ensuing corner.
17 - FK for Spain, a ways out. Lehmann comes up with it.
18 - Torres in the box, gets dispossessed, goes down, no call.
19 - Gray wants Gullit to explain the Galaxy's loss. Did he see the game?
20 - Torres with some tricky play earns a FK deep on the right. When it's taken, Torres does get a head on it, but can't direct it well and it pops over the goal.
22 - Off the post! Torres nearly had the opening goal on a header where he out-jumped his defender. So close.
25 - Podolski gets a corner kick for Germany. the service is cleared, but it goes right back into the box, where Ballack takes a sideswipe at it, hitting Ramos in the side with the ball. Spain are able to clear, but that was also close for Germany.
28 - The game is back and forth with both teams taking advantage of the extra room on counters.
30 - Torres versus Mertesacker in the box, Torres can't get his shot off, but Mertesacker gives up a corner.
32 - Cesc with a shot - but Lehmann gets down and claims the ball.
33 - GOAL! Torres finally breaks through. Xavi sends in a pass, and Lahmn can't shield effectively as Lehmann comes out for it. Torres just gets there and puts the ball over the diving Lehmann. 1-0 Spain.
Torres celebrates with a classic knee slide.
36 - Ballack is off the field with a cut on his head.
37 - While he's getting stitched, Germany earn a dangerous FK. Ballack's not there to take it, and Schwiengstieger hoofs it way out.
39 - Ballack is sent off again, because his stitches are bleeding. Germany need to use the electrical tape that Justin Braun had on after his injury last night.
40 - Again, Germany earn a dangerous FK while Ballack is off. Germany get to retake the kick. Ballack gets on before the rekick. The FK is cleared for a corner. Casillas punches it out. Germany reclaim and continue the attack - another corner.
42 - Xavi prevents a German shot, and Spain try to clear.
43 - Gray is angry at the ref for not calling advantage and for not carding Ballack for his persistent fouls. Iker comes out to argue with the ref about it. Although he's the captain, the ref cards him for dissent, though Ballack also gets a yellow.
45 - Spain on the counter - Iniesta has the ball in the box, but doesn't pass to Torres in time, though he gets the corner. It's taken short, and Spain work the ball around, but can't get a shot off against the German defense.
Halftime!
Germany definitely look second-best at this point, but have time to show better in the second half and are only a goal down.
50 - Klose down for a bit - ran into a kick. Lahm is out this half, and Gray thinks it's due to injury, though I think Loew might blame Lahmm for the goal against Germany.
53 - "Little Xavi" as Gray likes to call him - cracks a shot that gets deflected for a corner.
Corner leads to a shot by Silva that's deflected wide.
55 - Torres in another footrace into the box, but this time, Lehmann is off his line quicker to smother the shot.
57 - The game is much more open, but this time Spain is conceding possession and striking back via counter.
58 - Frings boots ball away after he fouls, but the ref lets it go. Hitzelsperger is taken off for Karanyi.
60 - Ballack with a shot as the Spanish defense falters slightly - it's wide, but just barely.
61 - It's enough to revive the German fans, who are loud again.
62 - Ballack with a cross - Casillas outleaps Kuranyi to it. The Germans look dangerous again, attacking with more verve.
63 - Schweinsteiger with a shot - or a cross? Whatever, he walloped the heck out of the ball, and it ricocheted of Klose and went just wide.
64 - Cesc is getting taken off for Xabi Alonso.
66 - Podolski and Silva face off and Silva does nod his head forward slightly, but the ref missed it - could have been a send-off, but Podolski wasn't hit hard. It was away from the ball.
The FK for Germany is sent poorly by Schweinsteiger.
67 - Cazorla comes in for Silva. Spain have bent, but not broken under the recent German pressure.
68 - Spanish FK - Ramos gets free and sends a header straight to Lehmann. The corner results in a shot that Frings clears off the post. Another corner.
69 - Off the corner, Iniesta with a shot. Lehmann blocks, but can't hang on. It's out for a Spanish throw.
70 - Finally Germany are out of immediate danger - offside is called on Spain, though Gray believes it was passive.
71 - Casillas confronts a dangerous German FK with a solid punch that clears the ball far out.
72 - If I were a ref, I wouldn't give Kuranyi a call just for that pretentious facial hair.
74 - Spain looking for a safety cushion, Germany looking for the equalizer, Gray hoping that a bad call doesn't settle a close game.
75 - Torres fights for a header and gets booked with a yellow. Gray is horrified at the call and points out to Healey how poor it was.
76 - Torres on a break, puts ball past Mertesacker but within reach of Lehmann, who grabs it.
77 - On another counter, Spain manage to earn a corner.
78 - Torres is out for Guiza now. So far, Torres is the hero, but there is time left. Mario Gomez is coming in for the Germans, replacing Klose.
Long pass to Guiza brings Lehmann out of his box - replay shows he handled the ball just slightly after crossing the line, but it goes uncalled.
80 - Spanish counter brakes at the German box, weak shot by Capdevilla stopped by Lehmann.
82 - Senna with a chance to seal it, alone in front of the box, couldn't reach the knock-down header. So, so close.
83 - Metzelder pulls at the face of Guiza, leading to a Spain FK. It's taken square, and the shot rebounds off Metzelder and goes out.
84 - "It only takes a second to score," says Healey, presumably chiding slightly the Spanish fans that are already celebrating.
86 - Spain looks closer to scoring, but they haven't. Corner leads to FK for Spain.
88 - German fans join the noise of Spanish celebration - imploring their team to score.
CRAP! The signals skipped and went black twice just now. I thought they promised that wouldn't happen again.
Kuranyi late on a slide tackle to Senna. Gets yellow for it.
90 - Gray gives credit to Spain for continuing to attack. But Germany finally manage a counter and lob the ball into the box, where their tall forwards have a chance, but Gomez fouls.
90+ Three extra minutes - Germany with another chance, but the cross is overhit.
Screen cuts out again. Dang. Announcers don't mention it, so maybe it's me and my cable service. Picture is back now.
Desperate Germany continue to try to get forward, but Puyol heads the ball away from the larger German players.
Final whistle!
It's over! Spain wins! Spain wins! Torres' goal held up and the Red Fury finally came through. Germany fall just short. Nice. Spain really played the better soccer throughout the whole tourney and deserved to win.
"Que viva Espana," ventures Healey a little tentatively, but I give him props for the effort. Torres claims a Spanish flag from fans and wears it as a cape. The Spanish supporters are going crazy - they may not be able to sing an anthem before the game, but they're singing now.
Aragones is getting air-tossed by his team. Be careful with the old guy - dudes.
Tommy Smythe says "the demons are gone" for Spain. Foudy says Spain is "letting go of some of those jinxes".
"Si, si, si! La Copa esta aqui!" chant Spanish players holding the trophy. Yes, yes, yes, the Cup is here! "Spain reign." says Healey.
That doesn't leave much to say. "We are the Champions" blares over the stadium sound system as the coverage ends of Euro '08.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Possible injury absences
Davy Villa people already knew about - but now Michael Ballack may also miss the final.
Friday, June 27, 2008
It won't happen again, promise
Yeah, right. But it already happened, so the damage has been done.
UEFA apologized for the blackout during Wednesday's semifinal match between Germany and Turkey. A freak storm caused this freak incident which, officials say, won't happen again.
That's of little consolation to viewers around the world. As Andrea mentioned in her latest edition of Canales Corner, it's puzzling to think that there isn't a backup plan in place, in case something like this happens. Of course, everyone inside the stadium - players, coaches, fans - were oblivious to what happened so they can't exactly stop playing. I mean, it's not basketball where you take about a dozen TV time outs each half.
For me, the game was ruined. It's one thing if you miss a minute or two but to miss that much time and TWO GOALS on top of it, that's preposterous. What made it worse was Rece Davis acting like he was doing us a favor by describing the goals and putting emotion behind it. He should have been sympathetic to us at the very least but instead it was pouring rubbing alcohol over an open wound.
Paul Oberjuerge compared the mishap to the infamous "Heidi Game" that changed the way TV broadcasts NFL games, except Paul argues that it's much worse than that. Can't say I disagree.
Unfortunately, the incident may have put a damper on the tournament. Instead of remembering Euro 2008 for the thrilling matches and surprise runs, the blackout could cast a pall over the tournament for some time to come.
Let's hope Spain and Germany put on a show that everyone can watch and overshadows the television disaster.
UEFA apologized for the blackout during Wednesday's semifinal match between Germany and Turkey. A freak storm caused this freak incident which, officials say, won't happen again.
That's of little consolation to viewers around the world. As Andrea mentioned in her latest edition of Canales Corner, it's puzzling to think that there isn't a backup plan in place, in case something like this happens. Of course, everyone inside the stadium - players, coaches, fans - were oblivious to what happened so they can't exactly stop playing. I mean, it's not basketball where you take about a dozen TV time outs each half.
For me, the game was ruined. It's one thing if you miss a minute or two but to miss that much time and TWO GOALS on top of it, that's preposterous. What made it worse was Rece Davis acting like he was doing us a favor by describing the goals and putting emotion behind it. He should have been sympathetic to us at the very least but instead it was pouring rubbing alcohol over an open wound.
Paul Oberjuerge compared the mishap to the infamous "Heidi Game" that changed the way TV broadcasts NFL games, except Paul argues that it's much worse than that. Can't say I disagree.
Unfortunately, the incident may have put a damper on the tournament. Instead of remembering Euro 2008 for the thrilling matches and surprise runs, the blackout could cast a pall over the tournament for some time to come.
Let's hope Spain and Germany put on a show that everyone can watch and overshadows the television disaster.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Spain/Russia running blog
Rece Davis - says something about the Rolling Stones "with all due respect" one side will leave with satisfaction today. Dude, the Rolling Stones sang, "I can't get no satisfaction" not, "no one can ever get any satisfaction". If anything, the character in the song believes satisfaction is possible, and that's why he's frustrated. Anyway. Tommy Smythe said something, too. Wasn't listening, but he looked excited about it.
Pedro Gomez cracks about Davis' salary while informing us that each Russian player gets over 1 million Euros if they win here.
Spain are wearing their "unlucky" yellow uniform. Hmmm. They might be saving the red for the final. Former MLS player Donadoni has been fired as coach of Italy. Smythe calls his sack "unfortunate".
Davis is raising his voice a lot - but yet he doesn't sound excited. He sounds like a teacher trying to drown out students who are talking in class by talking louder then they are. That never works by the way.
A tango with the Spanish? No that's Argentina - the promo tease should be a paso doble with the Spaniards. That's like trying to order tacos in a Spanish restaurant.
The Spanish national anthem has no lyrics, so the players just stand there. Under Franco, some lyrics supporting him were written, but the song officially has no words, and so after his tenure, only the instrumental version is played.
Russian anthem, meanwhile, has changed lyrics more than once, including to remove references to Stalin.
The captains of the respective teams read an anti-racism message to the crowd.
Russia: Akinfeyev, Anyukov, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Zyryanov, Semak, Semshov, Saenko, Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko.
Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva, Villa and Torres.
Of course, Spain beat Russia handily in group play, but Arshavin didn't play due to suspension. Yes, he makes that big a difference.
Kickoff!
3- FK earned by Villa, but it's way far out. Russia gets the ball back almost immediately.
5 - Torres earns a corner, but as he slides over the line, he lifts a whole section of the new=laid grass. Corner is cleared. Then Spain serves it into the box again and Ramos nearly, nearly reaches it on a header.
7 - Villa and Torres exchange passes in the box, Torres looses an awkward shot that Akinfeyev parries out. Spain have come out looking hungry.
8 - Aragones looks unhappy. Apparently, he really doesn't like the color yellow. He's off to coach in Turkey after this tournament.
10 - Russia's held off the early Spanish surge, and now look to strike, but Casillas is all over the low cross.
12 - Akinfeyev stops a long-range Spain shot as the Red Fury try to counter.
13 - Spain give up a corner. It's taken short and the the cross falls to Ramos, who shows total trust in Casillas as he chests the ball to him to catch.
15 - Torres in the box, reaching for the ball, the referee whistles for a foul against Torres. Gray gets upset about the call - which the replay shows did look like a foul on the defender.
16 - Perhaps as retaliation, Puyol tackles Arshavin hard going the other way, but the ref whistles this one. Tasty FK for Russia
17 - It's put over the bar by Pavlyuchenko.
18 - Aragones is off the bench, doing the "settle down" hand motions to his team, who might be frustrated.
19 - Torres in the box, trying to control the ball - now, if he'd planned the move to carry the ball on his back that would have been truly brilliant, but he didn't and he gets tangled up and loses track of the ball. Russia clears.
21 - Gray: That final ball is just missing for Spain at the moment.
Very true.
22 - But now Russia have a chance via FK, as the rain really dumps down. I'm ambivalent about the rain - sometimes it's part of a glorious, anything can happen game, other times, it just really changes the outcome too much. Soccer turns from a game of skill into mucking about in slop.
23 - Russia getting chances now - a corner, becomes a throw-in, but the ball is finally out over the endline. Goal kick for Iker.
24 - Spain with a deep throw-in, but as Ramos tries to hit the volley, the ball slips and weakens the shot. Akinfeyev catches.
27 - Semak fouls Marchena who tries to take a quick FK. Problem is, Semak is still holding the ball, which leads to shoving and a lecture from the ref for both of them, but no cards.
28 - Gray thinks Arshavin needs to get more involved - perhaps move up to forward.
29 - Silva is chopped down, but the FK is pretty far out for Spain. Villa gets it to Akinfeyev, who didn't have to move that much to stop it.
31 - Pavlyuchenko from distance takes a crack at goal - just wide. That's what Russia can do, no matter how good Spain look otherwise.
34 - Villa is down and looking very sober - might be a serious injury. Yep, he's off. Cesc Fabregas comes in.
35 - Pavlyuchenko in the box! Chests the ball down and nearly gets his shot off, but the ball is touched out.
36 - Pavlyuchenko now with a low header, it's wide, but Spain has lost all momentum. Rae mentions the MLS Texas derby - is it really a proper derby when the teams don't actually play in the same city? Can't he just say "state bragging rights" or "rivalry match"?
38 - As the match wears on Russia's youth and fitness should wear on the Spaniards. If Spain doesn't score soon, I'd say they are in serious trouble.
39 - Fabregas cuts in a sharp cross, but no one from Spain realy made the run and Akinfeyev catches.
40 - Gray thinks Spain suffers from overpassingitis. Yet at the same time, he says, they "lack the final pass"
41 - Both teams pressing as final five minutes of the half start to tick down. Casillas is out of his box to boot ball away.
42 - Arshavin is getting more involved on the right.
43 - Iniesta battles to cross, finally gets it off - Akinfeyev catches. The flow of the Spanish attack is getting blunted by the physical defense of Russia.
44 - Torres gets bearhugged - earning Spain a FK. It's a ways out, though. Xavi send is too high for a header and Akinfeyev catches.
45 - Puyol and Arshavin knock heads. I think Puyol's curly hair might give him a bit more protection. Both look ok, though. No blood like in last match.
Halftime: Spain looked better, or more stylish, going forward, but Russia had as many clear chances ( there weren't many for either side ) and nearly made them pay off.
I'm not sure it's a good omen for Russia that their big fan, Maria Sharapova, was upset today at Wimbledon. Perhaps not, as another Russian beat her. Speaking of, what happened to Spanish female tennis players? Is there anyone contending the way Aranxta once did?
47 - Adrian Healey is talking about Aragones "wise old man". Looks like the coach's rehabilitation after racist remarks about Thierry Henry is complete.
50 - Spain again the more probing team, but nothing yet. -
GOAL!
WAIT! Iniesta in the box, turns slightly shoots for the far post, Xavi pounces on it and redirects it into goal before Akinfeyev can react. 1-0 Spain
52 - Russia immediately turn up the heat, but the cross in is cleared and Spain counter. Torres in the box takes a shot form a tough angle - over the bar! Could have really drowned Russia hopes here.
55 - Spain again in the box via a quick counter - can't get a shot off.
56 - Interesting that the teams have switched roles - Spain is countering quickly, while Russia is now forced to build up play. Spain is actually pretty effective on the counter.
Bilyaletdinov comes in for Russia, Semchov specifically.
57 - Torres just barely offside. Saenko is off, Sychev on.
60 - Bilyatdinov tackles enthusiastically, but a bit late and gets a yellow.
61 - Spain opt for possession on the FK and work the ball around well, nearly resulting in a shot, but do get a throw.
62 - Torres with a shot. He's been unlucky there a bit, but he keeps trying on difficult angles.
63 - Torres again in the box - can't decide how to hit a ball and then the cross basically bounces off him badly.
64 - ooh, now the missed chance could prove costly. FK for Russia in very tasty spot and with a good angle.
65 - Zhirkov sends it into the wall, though.
68 - Spain on a great counter - Torres gets the ball in the box nearly in stride, but the defense closes him down. Zhirkov a mostly clean tackle that leaves Torres appealing in vain for a PK.
69 - Torres is taken out and Daniel Guiza comes in for Spain.
70 - Cesc with a knuckling shot earns a CK - Akinfeyev was forced to palm it wide..
71 - Off the corner, ball pops to Xavi, who cracks a shot on goal, but Akinfeyev blocks it back into play.
73 - GOAL! Guiza in as Spain execute well on the counter as Russia scrambled to set their line. Cesc dinked a pass behind as both Silva and Guiza broke through the line, the pass flew past Silva, but Guiza corralled it and sent it past Akinfeyev. 2-0.
75 - Russia try to come right back but Casillas wants to keep the shutout and takes care of the low ball.
80 - Spain haven't lost concentration or focus. They're harrasing Russia's wingers, cutting off crosses and keeping canny possession of the ball to limit Russia's hopes for a miracle.
81 - Can we hassle Hiddink for putting Arshavin on the right, where he saw little action and never affected the game? Hummm?
82 - GOAL! Silva off a great cross by Cesc! 3-0 Spain. Emphatic win for the Spanish.
85 - Well, well, the two finalists are the ones I called.
87 - "Spain have forgotten how to lose," Healy says. What a nice thing to forget.
88 - Ok, this one always surprises me, but I guess it's like how the England fans sing the heck out of "You'll Never Walk Alone" an American Broadway tune. The Spanish fans are raising thier voices in a loud chorus of "Cielito Lindo" which is a Mexican folk tune.
90 - Spain still pinging the ball around handily - while their fans are singing in the rain, which is staying mainly on the Spanish plain (since we're talking about Broadway).
90+ Sychev wide on a consolation attempt.
Final whistle - Spain's soldiers won the battle well, but the war is decided on Sunday - and the Germans are planning a blitzkrieg against the stylish possession game of the Spaniards. The final paso of the dance will go down then. So much for yellow - er, mustard - being unlucky.
Pedro Gomez cracks about Davis' salary while informing us that each Russian player gets over 1 million Euros if they win here.
Spain are wearing their "unlucky" yellow uniform. Hmmm. They might be saving the red for the final. Former MLS player Donadoni has been fired as coach of Italy. Smythe calls his sack "unfortunate".
Davis is raising his voice a lot - but yet he doesn't sound excited. He sounds like a teacher trying to drown out students who are talking in class by talking louder then they are. That never works by the way.
A tango with the Spanish? No that's Argentina - the promo tease should be a paso doble with the Spaniards. That's like trying to order tacos in a Spanish restaurant.
The Spanish national anthem has no lyrics, so the players just stand there. Under Franco, some lyrics supporting him were written, but the song officially has no words, and so after his tenure, only the instrumental version is played.
Russian anthem, meanwhile, has changed lyrics more than once, including to remove references to Stalin.
The captains of the respective teams read an anti-racism message to the crowd.
Russia: Akinfeyev, Anyukov, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Zyryanov, Semak, Semshov, Saenko, Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko.
Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva, Villa and Torres.
Of course, Spain beat Russia handily in group play, but Arshavin didn't play due to suspension. Yes, he makes that big a difference.
Kickoff!
3- FK earned by Villa, but it's way far out. Russia gets the ball back almost immediately.
5 - Torres earns a corner, but as he slides over the line, he lifts a whole section of the new=laid grass. Corner is cleared. Then Spain serves it into the box again and Ramos nearly, nearly reaches it on a header.
7 - Villa and Torres exchange passes in the box, Torres looses an awkward shot that Akinfeyev parries out. Spain have come out looking hungry.
8 - Aragones looks unhappy. Apparently, he really doesn't like the color yellow. He's off to coach in Turkey after this tournament.
10 - Russia's held off the early Spanish surge, and now look to strike, but Casillas is all over the low cross.
12 - Akinfeyev stops a long-range Spain shot as the Red Fury try to counter.
13 - Spain give up a corner. It's taken short and the the cross falls to Ramos, who shows total trust in Casillas as he chests the ball to him to catch.
15 - Torres in the box, reaching for the ball, the referee whistles for a foul against Torres. Gray gets upset about the call - which the replay shows did look like a foul on the defender.
16 - Perhaps as retaliation, Puyol tackles Arshavin hard going the other way, but the ref whistles this one. Tasty FK for Russia
17 - It's put over the bar by Pavlyuchenko.
18 - Aragones is off the bench, doing the "settle down" hand motions to his team, who might be frustrated.
19 - Torres in the box, trying to control the ball - now, if he'd planned the move to carry the ball on his back that would have been truly brilliant, but he didn't and he gets tangled up and loses track of the ball. Russia clears.
21 - Gray: That final ball is just missing for Spain at the moment.
Very true.
22 - But now Russia have a chance via FK, as the rain really dumps down. I'm ambivalent about the rain - sometimes it's part of a glorious, anything can happen game, other times, it just really changes the outcome too much. Soccer turns from a game of skill into mucking about in slop.
23 - Russia getting chances now - a corner, becomes a throw-in, but the ball is finally out over the endline. Goal kick for Iker.
24 - Spain with a deep throw-in, but as Ramos tries to hit the volley, the ball slips and weakens the shot. Akinfeyev catches.
27 - Semak fouls Marchena who tries to take a quick FK. Problem is, Semak is still holding the ball, which leads to shoving and a lecture from the ref for both of them, but no cards.
28 - Gray thinks Arshavin needs to get more involved - perhaps move up to forward.
29 - Silva is chopped down, but the FK is pretty far out for Spain. Villa gets it to Akinfeyev, who didn't have to move that much to stop it.
31 - Pavlyuchenko from distance takes a crack at goal - just wide. That's what Russia can do, no matter how good Spain look otherwise.
34 - Villa is down and looking very sober - might be a serious injury. Yep, he's off. Cesc Fabregas comes in.
35 - Pavlyuchenko in the box! Chests the ball down and nearly gets his shot off, but the ball is touched out.
36 - Pavlyuchenko now with a low header, it's wide, but Spain has lost all momentum. Rae mentions the MLS Texas derby - is it really a proper derby when the teams don't actually play in the same city? Can't he just say "state bragging rights" or "rivalry match"?
38 - As the match wears on Russia's youth and fitness should wear on the Spaniards. If Spain doesn't score soon, I'd say they are in serious trouble.
39 - Fabregas cuts in a sharp cross, but no one from Spain realy made the run and Akinfeyev catches.
40 - Gray thinks Spain suffers from overpassingitis. Yet at the same time, he says, they "lack the final pass"
41 - Both teams pressing as final five minutes of the half start to tick down. Casillas is out of his box to boot ball away.
42 - Arshavin is getting more involved on the right.
43 - Iniesta battles to cross, finally gets it off - Akinfeyev catches. The flow of the Spanish attack is getting blunted by the physical defense of Russia.
44 - Torres gets bearhugged - earning Spain a FK. It's a ways out, though. Xavi send is too high for a header and Akinfeyev catches.
45 - Puyol and Arshavin knock heads. I think Puyol's curly hair might give him a bit more protection. Both look ok, though. No blood like in last match.
Halftime: Spain looked better, or more stylish, going forward, but Russia had as many clear chances ( there weren't many for either side ) and nearly made them pay off.
I'm not sure it's a good omen for Russia that their big fan, Maria Sharapova, was upset today at Wimbledon. Perhaps not, as another Russian beat her. Speaking of, what happened to Spanish female tennis players? Is there anyone contending the way Aranxta once did?
47 - Adrian Healey is talking about Aragones "wise old man". Looks like the coach's rehabilitation after racist remarks about Thierry Henry is complete.
50 - Spain again the more probing team, but nothing yet. -
GOAL!
WAIT! Iniesta in the box, turns slightly shoots for the far post, Xavi pounces on it and redirects it into goal before Akinfeyev can react. 1-0 Spain
52 - Russia immediately turn up the heat, but the cross in is cleared and Spain counter. Torres in the box takes a shot form a tough angle - over the bar! Could have really drowned Russia hopes here.
55 - Spain again in the box via a quick counter - can't get a shot off.
56 - Interesting that the teams have switched roles - Spain is countering quickly, while Russia is now forced to build up play. Spain is actually pretty effective on the counter.
Bilyaletdinov comes in for Russia, Semchov specifically.
57 - Torres just barely offside. Saenko is off, Sychev on.
60 - Bilyatdinov tackles enthusiastically, but a bit late and gets a yellow.
61 - Spain opt for possession on the FK and work the ball around well, nearly resulting in a shot, but do get a throw.
62 - Torres with a shot. He's been unlucky there a bit, but he keeps trying on difficult angles.
63 - Torres again in the box - can't decide how to hit a ball and then the cross basically bounces off him badly.
64 - ooh, now the missed chance could prove costly. FK for Russia in very tasty spot and with a good angle.
65 - Zhirkov sends it into the wall, though.
68 - Spain on a great counter - Torres gets the ball in the box nearly in stride, but the defense closes him down. Zhirkov a mostly clean tackle that leaves Torres appealing in vain for a PK.
69 - Torres is taken out and Daniel Guiza comes in for Spain.
70 - Cesc with a knuckling shot earns a CK - Akinfeyev was forced to palm it wide..
71 - Off the corner, ball pops to Xavi, who cracks a shot on goal, but Akinfeyev blocks it back into play.
73 - GOAL! Guiza in as Spain execute well on the counter as Russia scrambled to set their line. Cesc dinked a pass behind as both Silva and Guiza broke through the line, the pass flew past Silva, but Guiza corralled it and sent it past Akinfeyev. 2-0.
75 - Russia try to come right back but Casillas wants to keep the shutout and takes care of the low ball.
80 - Spain haven't lost concentration or focus. They're harrasing Russia's wingers, cutting off crosses and keeping canny possession of the ball to limit Russia's hopes for a miracle.
81 - Can we hassle Hiddink for putting Arshavin on the right, where he saw little action and never affected the game? Hummm?
82 - GOAL! Silva off a great cross by Cesc! 3-0 Spain. Emphatic win for the Spanish.
85 - Well, well, the two finalists are the ones I called.
87 - "Spain have forgotten how to lose," Healy says. What a nice thing to forget.
88 - Ok, this one always surprises me, but I guess it's like how the England fans sing the heck out of "You'll Never Walk Alone" an American Broadway tune. The Spanish fans are raising thier voices in a loud chorus of "Cielito Lindo" which is a Mexican folk tune.
90 - Spain still pinging the ball around handily - while their fans are singing in the rain, which is staying mainly on the Spanish plain (since we're talking about Broadway).
90+ Sychev wide on a consolation attempt.
Final whistle - Spain's soldiers won the battle well, but the war is decided on Sunday - and the Germans are planning a blitzkrieg against the stylish possession game of the Spaniards. The final paso of the dance will go down then. So much for yellow - er, mustard - being unlucky.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Germany/Turkey 2nd half running blog
Yeah, I know, where was I first half? Duty and the paying job called. Now I'm back - just in time to catch Reece Davis making a horrid "Thanksgiving in Turkey" pun. Eeach. Foudy does a better job breaking down Turkey's goal. Tommy Smythe is enthusiastic about Germany working itself back into the game, even if he's not completely coherent.
Foudy makes a comparison with Turkey/Russia "nothing to lose", plus, she knocks Spain's psyche a little.
Davis swings in an "Achtung, Baby" in the bump to commercial. Why? It just seemed really pointless.
46 - Rolfes and Akman knocked heads in the first half, Turkey's medics just staples Akman back into the game. Germany may not have had the same equipment or they tried to use stitches, because fixing Rolfes took much longer.
48 - Turkey has shown verve and surprising skill, given their absences. It's taken Germany by surprise.
49 - Lahm whistled for a foul. Turkey FK. Lehman catches.
50 - Turkey in the box!, but the final pass is missing.
51 - Lahm on the edge of the box - gets taken down. Gray thinks it's a PK, but the ref waves play on. Wow. No replay yet. Boos rain down.
53 - Ooooh, that did look like a foul on the replay. Sheesh. Turkey had a big escape there.
55 - What Turkey has lost here, though it was the ref's fault is the good will of the crowd. Germany fans were mostly silent, now they're horribly indignant and booing every Turkish touch. That might rattle the young team.
56 - For that matter, Germany are showing better resolve and possession. Hitzberger and others are teeing up on Turkey's backup keep, Rustu.
57 - Now Ballack goes down - Gray doesn't think it's a foul, but it was definitely from behind and he caught the right leg. Ballack doesn't do much with the FK.
Screen goes black. Great. They're showing the fan zone, of all things.
Rae finally admits technical problems. Gray is asked if he's been to a fan zone. He hasn't I have, during the world cup. There's a lot of beer and good-natured cheering. It's hard to see, there's nowhere to sit, and lots of carnival-type food is sold. In Germany, that means sausage on a stick.
Well, there's apparently a power outage. Joy.
Smythe, Foudy and Davis are desperately discussing the game even as it continues. Lame. This is horrible People are getting fired, right now. As they should.
Or maybe not - as it turns out lighting hit the TV tower - the signal went out worldwide, turns out.
66 - Well, no goals scored during the interim, at least.
67 - Turkey still battling, moving forward, but that final pass still isn't happening.
68 - Germany more organized than earlier, but concede a corner just now. It bounces high, gets headed about, until Sabri serves it back into the box - dangerous-looking, but no red shirts are there to make something of it.
69 - Kazim Richards gets his shirt tugged by Lahm and goes down in the box in hopes of something - hey, if the ref isn't calling a PK for Lahm at the other end, K-R isn't getting this one.
73 - Boral with a shot - Lehman catches. Going right back the other end, Hitzberger fires wide.
75 - Rae promos the MLS match tomorrow - the Texas Tussle between Houston and Dallas. Ok, Rae doesn't really say Texas Tussle. That was me.
77 - Great - the screen is blank again. Damn.
Davis wants us to sympathize with German fans who can't watch the worldwide feed. I'm not generous enough to feel their pain in addition to mine. I need chocolate to soothe my nerves.
Shit on a stick and crapola - Klose just scored, apparently. I'm cursed. This game has three goals and I've missed all of them. Damn the lightning. Foudy and the desk seem to think the game is over and Turkey can't come back. Oh, well, I guess I can't see anything to disagree with them about that. I mean, it's not like I can watch the game.
See this is where technology sucks - I mean, if Rae and Gray were at the Euros, they could call the game, radio style, but they're apparently in a studio watching the feed. Or not watching the feed, as the case is right now. Foudy got ready (for the third time, to do her call of the Turkey goal - the insight of "ballwatching") Klose's goal was apparently a header. The announcers are talking about it. We still see nothing. Now they're talking German politics. What the heck does Davis know about that? I don't trust what he says. They're showing the Klose goal - Rustu was caught out of position. As they roll the video, Turkey scores, apparently again. The cameras catch a bit of celebration.
Now they show the video. Sabri gets in behind Lahm, serves in a great ball to Semih, who pokes it in past a frozen-to-his-line-then-leaning-in-too-late Lehman. 2 -2 all square.
90 - Hells bells! I finally see a goal, and it's from my favorite German player, little Lahm, who has actually had a horrid game mostly. He gets a pass from Hitzberger as German players crash the goal and he roofs the ball emphatically. Dang that was a strong finish - his first international goal since the beauty that he struck versus Costa Rica in the 2006 World Cup. 3-2 Germany. (Hey, this match is like a Galaxy game, but with Lahm finishing better than Beckham.)
The greatest game of this tournament and we've missed about half an hour of it - Brutally cruel.
Full time, it looks like.
Germany move on, but Turkey goes home with their heads held very high. Amazing. Smythe gives Lahm a lot of credit for his strike. Foudy gives props to Turkey. Davis says something about Germany being soccer-mad, well, duh, all of Europe is. Davies says it like it's unusual or something.
Foudy, previewing Russia/Spain - wants Lucky Guus to be "damn good Guus". Hey, they say it's better to be lucky than good. I'm just saying. No real prediction, though, from the desk and finally, coverage ends.
Foudy makes a comparison with Turkey/Russia "nothing to lose", plus, she knocks Spain's psyche a little.
Davis swings in an "Achtung, Baby" in the bump to commercial. Why? It just seemed really pointless.
46 - Rolfes and Akman knocked heads in the first half, Turkey's medics just staples Akman back into the game. Germany may not have had the same equipment or they tried to use stitches, because fixing Rolfes took much longer.
48 - Turkey has shown verve and surprising skill, given their absences. It's taken Germany by surprise.
49 - Lahm whistled for a foul. Turkey FK. Lehman catches.
50 - Turkey in the box!, but the final pass is missing.
51 - Lahm on the edge of the box - gets taken down. Gray thinks it's a PK, but the ref waves play on. Wow. No replay yet. Boos rain down.
53 - Ooooh, that did look like a foul on the replay. Sheesh. Turkey had a big escape there.
55 - What Turkey has lost here, though it was the ref's fault is the good will of the crowd. Germany fans were mostly silent, now they're horribly indignant and booing every Turkish touch. That might rattle the young team.
56 - For that matter, Germany are showing better resolve and possession. Hitzberger and others are teeing up on Turkey's backup keep, Rustu.
57 - Now Ballack goes down - Gray doesn't think it's a foul, but it was definitely from behind and he caught the right leg. Ballack doesn't do much with the FK.
Screen goes black. Great. They're showing the fan zone, of all things.
Rae finally admits technical problems. Gray is asked if he's been to a fan zone. He hasn't I have, during the world cup. There's a lot of beer and good-natured cheering. It's hard to see, there's nowhere to sit, and lots of carnival-type food is sold. In Germany, that means sausage on a stick.
Well, there's apparently a power outage. Joy.
Smythe, Foudy and Davis are desperately discussing the game even as it continues. Lame. This is horrible People are getting fired, right now. As they should.
Or maybe not - as it turns out lighting hit the TV tower - the signal went out worldwide, turns out.
66 - Well, no goals scored during the interim, at least.
67 - Turkey still battling, moving forward, but that final pass still isn't happening.
68 - Germany more organized than earlier, but concede a corner just now. It bounces high, gets headed about, until Sabri serves it back into the box - dangerous-looking, but no red shirts are there to make something of it.
69 - Kazim Richards gets his shirt tugged by Lahm and goes down in the box in hopes of something - hey, if the ref isn't calling a PK for Lahm at the other end, K-R isn't getting this one.
73 - Boral with a shot - Lehman catches. Going right back the other end, Hitzberger fires wide.
75 - Rae promos the MLS match tomorrow - the Texas Tussle between Houston and Dallas. Ok, Rae doesn't really say Texas Tussle. That was me.
77 - Great - the screen is blank again. Damn.
Davis wants us to sympathize with German fans who can't watch the worldwide feed. I'm not generous enough to feel their pain in addition to mine. I need chocolate to soothe my nerves.
Shit on a stick and crapola - Klose just scored, apparently. I'm cursed. This game has three goals and I've missed all of them. Damn the lightning. Foudy and the desk seem to think the game is over and Turkey can't come back. Oh, well, I guess I can't see anything to disagree with them about that. I mean, it's not like I can watch the game.
See this is where technology sucks - I mean, if Rae and Gray were at the Euros, they could call the game, radio style, but they're apparently in a studio watching the feed. Or not watching the feed, as the case is right now. Foudy got ready (for the third time, to do her call of the Turkey goal - the insight of "ballwatching") Klose's goal was apparently a header. The announcers are talking about it. We still see nothing. Now they're talking German politics. What the heck does Davis know about that? I don't trust what he says. They're showing the Klose goal - Rustu was caught out of position. As they roll the video, Turkey scores, apparently again. The cameras catch a bit of celebration.
Now they show the video. Sabri gets in behind Lahm, serves in a great ball to Semih, who pokes it in past a frozen-to-his-line-then-leaning-in-too-late Lehman. 2 -2 all square.
90 - Hells bells! I finally see a goal, and it's from my favorite German player, little Lahm, who has actually had a horrid game mostly. He gets a pass from Hitzberger as German players crash the goal and he roofs the ball emphatically. Dang that was a strong finish - his first international goal since the beauty that he struck versus Costa Rica in the 2006 World Cup. 3-2 Germany. (Hey, this match is like a Galaxy game, but with Lahm finishing better than Beckham.)
The greatest game of this tournament and we've missed about half an hour of it - Brutally cruel.
Full time, it looks like.
Germany move on, but Turkey goes home with their heads held very high. Amazing. Smythe gives Lahm a lot of credit for his strike. Foudy gives props to Turkey. Davis says something about Germany being soccer-mad, well, duh, all of Europe is. Davies says it like it's unusual or something.
Foudy, previewing Russia/Spain - wants Lucky Guus to be "damn good Guus". Hey, they say it's better to be lucky than good. I'm just saying. No real prediction, though, from the desk and finally, coverage ends.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Gaining acceptance
Turkey's World Cup semifinal run in 2002 may have been written off as a bit lucky but the Turks are back in the final four of a major tournament. And if Germany eases up on Turkey for even one minute as Croatia did, it could cost them a spot in the final.
Martin Rogers of Yahoo Sports takes a look at Turkey's run.
Martin Rogers of Yahoo Sports takes a look at Turkey's run.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Tired out
Last week, we got into a little discussion here about soccer athlete's top-notch physical conditioning as opposed to other sports, baseball actually.
Here's a post from Paul Oberjuerge's blog about the topic of fitness. If you're not familiar with him, Paul was sports editor at the San Bernardino Sun for many years before he was unjustly fired earlier this year. Paul's covered multiple World Cups - four or five I believe - and gave me my start in journalism 11 years ago. Oberjuerge.com is a great blog which you should definitely read quite often, as I do.
Anyway, Paul partially blames fatigue for Holland's ouster from Euro 2008 on Saturday and says that Holland players are only human for tiring.
Here's a post from Paul Oberjuerge's blog about the topic of fitness. If you're not familiar with him, Paul was sports editor at the San Bernardino Sun for many years before he was unjustly fired earlier this year. Paul's covered multiple World Cups - four or five I believe - and gave me my start in journalism 11 years ago. Oberjuerge.com is a great blog which you should definitely read quite often, as I do.
Anyway, Paul partially blames fatigue for Holland's ouster from Euro 2008 on Saturday and says that Holland players are only human for tiring.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Holland/Russia running blog
It's the Dutch versus one of their own, Guus Hiddink, coaching a spry Russian squad trying to make history and reach the semifinals.
Netherlands: 1-Edwin van der Sar; 21-Khalid Boulahrouz, 2-Andre Ooijer, 4-Joris Mathijsen, 5-Giovanni van Bronckhorst; 17-Nigel de Jong, 8-Orlando Engelaar; 18-Dirk Kuyt, 23-Rafael van der Vaart, 10-Wesley Sneijder; 9-Ruud van Nistelrooy. Subs: Timmer, Stekelenburg, Heitinga, De Zeeuw, Van Persie, Robben, Melchiot, Bouma, De Cler, Huntelaar, Afellay, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Russia: 1-Igor Akinfeyev; 22-Alexander Anyukov, 8-Denis Kolodin, 4-Sergei Ignashevich, 18-Yuri Zhirkov; 17-Konstantin Zyryanov, 11-Sergei Semak, 20-Igor Semshov, 9-Ivan Saenko; 10-Andrei Arshavin, 19-Roman Pavlyuchenko. Subs: Gabulov, Malafeev, Vasili Berezutsky, Yanbaev, Alexei Berezutsky, Adamov, Torbinsky, Ivanov, Shirokov,
Bilyaletdinov, Sychev, Bystrov.
Maria Sharapova is talking about Russia's chances versus Holland. She acknowledges that it will be difficult. Prescient observation.
Russia's national anthem - the players sing along, arms linked over shoulders. Said Hiddink earlier;“I don’t know the words to the Russian national anthem. But I like the melody, so I will mime along. If I’m going to be a traitor, I might as well do it properly.”
Holland's anthem is cheery, and the orange jerseys add a pop of unusual color to the proceedings. I know Hiddink knows the words to this song, but he's not singing. Marco Van Basten has to be the best-looking coach on the national team level. He looks like he could throw on a jersey and still contribute to Holland's depth.
Kickoff!
Ooh, interesting detail - the grass for the game was imported from Holland. Home-soil!
2-FK, Russia, Arshavin was fouled. Russia mount an attack, but the ball gets knocked over the endline before they get a shot off.
3 - Van Bronkhurst sends in a cross, Kuyt can't quite reach it far post.
5 - Boulahrouz had his prematurely born daughter pass away just four days ago. The black armbands the Dutch now sport are in her honor.
6 - Arshavin earns another FK, this one closer to the Dutch goal. Zhirkov cracks it on goal near post, but Van Der Sar gets there with a two-handed push to save a goal. Two corners by Russia follow, but the Dutch resist.
8 - Pavlyuchenko with a header over the bar - Russia looking lively here. Sharapova must be happy - well, except for the missed shots.
11 - Russia's speed is putting a lot of pressure on the Dutch defense. The midfield of the Netherlands isn't seeing much of the ball at all.
13 - The Dutch begin to pick it up, adjusting to Russia and controlling the ball more. Russia caught them by surprise a bit, but no longer.
15 - Another foul on Arshavin - FK for Russia. Zhirkov mishits it, and it pops way high.
18 - Boulahrouz down for a bit.
20 - Snjieder in the box, but his shot is blocked.
24 - Another FK for Russia. It's cleared.
28 - I can't think of Russia without remembering the move of MLS striker Damani Ralph to that country. It didn't work out that well for him.
29 - A foul on Van Nistelroy leads to a FK - Van de Vaart takes it, nicely swings the ball right in front of goal - Van Nistelroy somehow misses it. Ruud Gullit is probably still shaking his head over that one.
31 - Arshavin on the counter, in the box, shoots - Van der Sar save - he just pushes it wide with his fingertips.
32 - Off the corner, ball falls to Kolodin, who winds up a hard shot from a ways out - on target, but Van Der Sar pops the rocket shot over the bar.
33- Another shot soon after the corner by Kolodin, but this one is wide. Russia have come to play, but so has Edwin van der Sar.
35 - Arshavin hits a great cross, but the Dutch defense boots it safely out.
37 - Now the Dutch have been reduced to countering, but nearly succeed with an attack in the box, but the cross is knocked out with a desperate tackle.
39 - Dutch FK, Snjeider takes, but it deflects up and Akinfeyev catches.
41 - Van de Vaart lofts in another FK - oooh. close, but just wide - it wasn't a shot, really, but no one from Holland was quite able to get there.
44 - Van de Vaart with a straight shot from the run of play, off a Kolodin bad pass, but Akinfeyev is there for that as well.
Halftime - After looking dominant early in the tournament, Holland has hit a hiccup versus Russia, who are using their speed and fitness well. It's anyone's game in the second half.
47 - Van Basten is looking to spark Holland, he's thrown in Van Persie.
49 - Dutch FK - Van de Vaart sends in another good 'un, all it needs is a touch and it's in goal, but the ball skips merrily just past Van Nistelroy.
51 - Boulahrouz sees yellow for a tackle on Arshavin, who touched the ball just out of reach of Boulahrouz.
54 - Boulahrouz is now off - Heitinga in - perhaps a good move, because perhaps Boulahrouz, with everything he's dealt with, is having trouble keeping his head in the game. Plus he has a yellow.
55 - So does Van Persie, now. Russia's free kick goes barely wide.
GOAL! Russia attack right off the goal kick, Arshavin passes to Simek, who crosses to Pavlyuchenko, who redirects beautifully into the net. Nice. 1-0 Russia.
57 - The goal would be a shocker, except Russia have looked the better team this whole game. Sharapova is probably very happy right now.
60 - Saenko getting treated for a head injury - a slight cut, looks like.
62 - Baby-baced Afellay coming in for the Dutch, replacing Engelaar. The Oranjie fans look grim and quiet.
65 - They rally a bit for this Dutch corner, but Van Persie misses the ball.
67 - the Dutch with a good bit of possession around the Russian box, but they can't get a shot off.
69 - De Jong cuts off a final pass in the box, but the Dutch concede a corner. Bilyaletdinov comes in for Russia, replacing Semshov
71 - Russia nearly puts the game away with a second goal, but Van der Sar stops the shot. Going the other way, Nistelroy gets a call - yellow for Kolodin for a foul on the edge of the box.
72 - Van Persie wastes the FK, shooting it way high.
75 - The Dutch are looking both desperate and yet unimaginative. bad combo. They keep getting stuck around the Russian box.
76 - Snjeider misses wide. Dutch fans look like their team - scared.
77 - Van de Vaart takes an outside shot - easily caught by Akinfeyev. The Russians counter immediately and Van de Sar has to make his own catch on the other end.
78 - Russia earn a corner. They keep the ball for a while, until Saemek sends his cross skipping along the top of the crossbar.
86 - GOAL! Just when it seemed like it couldn't be done, when Dutch heads drooped very low, a FK mades all the difference - Ruud Nistelroy gets around his defender in the box, just enough to send it to goal. 1-1 All square.
88 - Ooijer clears a cross in the box as Russia tries to come right back.
90 - Kolodin is booked - but not sent off immediately. The ref pulls a yellow for Kolodin - which would be his second, but then rescinds it after talking with his linesman. It didn't look like a bad foul - or even really a foul, at all.
Extra time - the Dutch might have the momentum now, but Russia are still very much in it.
92 - Snjieder from distance. Akinfeyev has it.
93 - Arshavin sneaks a low shot in, but van de Sar gets down for it. Going the other way, Van Nistelroy tries his luck - misses just high.
95 - Akinfeyev catches a Van Persie shot.
97 - Pavlyuchenko off the crossbar. He smacked that - so close.
100 - Torbinsky redirects an Arshavin pass - Van der Sar gets down for that one, too. Russia are scrapping for it, not merely waiting for penalties.
101 - Foul on Arshavin, the Russina devil for the Dutch, sets up a FK - that goes quite close. Kolodin put some wicked bend on that.
107 - Almost a PK for Russia, but the ref waves play on.
109 - Almost a goal for Russia as Van der Sar gets hung out to dry by his defenders, but the cross in front of the goal skips by unmolested.
111 - Torbinsky gets called for the late tackle on Van de Vaart - yellow card.
112 - GOAL! Russia will not leave it to penalty kicks, Arshavin attacks again. He's almost out of room on the left side when he sends in the cross, which somehow stays in and Torbinsky gets a foot on the ball to put it into the goal. 2-1 Russia. What a shocker! Now the Dutch are chasing again.
114 - Pavlyuchenko comes out for Sychev.
116 - Sychev sends a shot high.
117 - GOAL! Arshavin nutmegs Van der Sar to extend the lead. Wow. Great stuff. 3-1 - Russia. Sharapova is probably trying to find out if Arshavin is single.
120 - Russia keep the pressure on the Dutch, who have all but surrendered.
120 + Traitor Guus looks to have done it.
Final Whistle! The Russians say "Spasibo" to the Dutch and move on.
Netherlands: 1-Edwin van der Sar; 21-Khalid Boulahrouz, 2-Andre Ooijer, 4-Joris Mathijsen, 5-Giovanni van Bronckhorst; 17-Nigel de Jong, 8-Orlando Engelaar; 18-Dirk Kuyt, 23-Rafael van der Vaart, 10-Wesley Sneijder; 9-Ruud van Nistelrooy. Subs: Timmer, Stekelenburg, Heitinga, De Zeeuw, Van Persie, Robben, Melchiot, Bouma, De Cler, Huntelaar, Afellay, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Russia: 1-Igor Akinfeyev; 22-Alexander Anyukov, 8-Denis Kolodin, 4-Sergei Ignashevich, 18-Yuri Zhirkov; 17-Konstantin Zyryanov, 11-Sergei Semak, 20-Igor Semshov, 9-Ivan Saenko; 10-Andrei Arshavin, 19-Roman Pavlyuchenko. Subs: Gabulov, Malafeev, Vasili Berezutsky, Yanbaev, Alexei Berezutsky, Adamov, Torbinsky, Ivanov, Shirokov,
Bilyaletdinov, Sychev, Bystrov.
Maria Sharapova is talking about Russia's chances versus Holland. She acknowledges that it will be difficult. Prescient observation.
Russia's national anthem - the players sing along, arms linked over shoulders. Said Hiddink earlier;“I don’t know the words to the Russian national anthem. But I like the melody, so I will mime along. If I’m going to be a traitor, I might as well do it properly.”
Holland's anthem is cheery, and the orange jerseys add a pop of unusual color to the proceedings. I know Hiddink knows the words to this song, but he's not singing. Marco Van Basten has to be the best-looking coach on the national team level. He looks like he could throw on a jersey and still contribute to Holland's depth.
Kickoff!
Ooh, interesting detail - the grass for the game was imported from Holland. Home-soil!
2-FK, Russia, Arshavin was fouled. Russia mount an attack, but the ball gets knocked over the endline before they get a shot off.
3 - Van Bronkhurst sends in a cross, Kuyt can't quite reach it far post.
5 - Boulahrouz had his prematurely born daughter pass away just four days ago. The black armbands the Dutch now sport are in her honor.
6 - Arshavin earns another FK, this one closer to the Dutch goal. Zhirkov cracks it on goal near post, but Van Der Sar gets there with a two-handed push to save a goal. Two corners by Russia follow, but the Dutch resist.
8 - Pavlyuchenko with a header over the bar - Russia looking lively here. Sharapova must be happy - well, except for the missed shots.
11 - Russia's speed is putting a lot of pressure on the Dutch defense. The midfield of the Netherlands isn't seeing much of the ball at all.
13 - The Dutch begin to pick it up, adjusting to Russia and controlling the ball more. Russia caught them by surprise a bit, but no longer.
15 - Another foul on Arshavin - FK for Russia. Zhirkov mishits it, and it pops way high.
18 - Boulahrouz down for a bit.
20 - Snjieder in the box, but his shot is blocked.
24 - Another FK for Russia. It's cleared.
28 - I can't think of Russia without remembering the move of MLS striker Damani Ralph to that country. It didn't work out that well for him.
29 - A foul on Van Nistelroy leads to a FK - Van de Vaart takes it, nicely swings the ball right in front of goal - Van Nistelroy somehow misses it. Ruud Gullit is probably still shaking his head over that one.
31 - Arshavin on the counter, in the box, shoots - Van der Sar save - he just pushes it wide with his fingertips.
32 - Off the corner, ball falls to Kolodin, who winds up a hard shot from a ways out - on target, but Van Der Sar pops the rocket shot over the bar.
33- Another shot soon after the corner by Kolodin, but this one is wide. Russia have come to play, but so has Edwin van der Sar.
35 - Arshavin hits a great cross, but the Dutch defense boots it safely out.
37 - Now the Dutch have been reduced to countering, but nearly succeed with an attack in the box, but the cross is knocked out with a desperate tackle.
39 - Dutch FK, Snjeider takes, but it deflects up and Akinfeyev catches.
41 - Van de Vaart lofts in another FK - oooh. close, but just wide - it wasn't a shot, really, but no one from Holland was quite able to get there.
44 - Van de Vaart with a straight shot from the run of play, off a Kolodin bad pass, but Akinfeyev is there for that as well.
Halftime - After looking dominant early in the tournament, Holland has hit a hiccup versus Russia, who are using their speed and fitness well. It's anyone's game in the second half.
47 - Van Basten is looking to spark Holland, he's thrown in Van Persie.
49 - Dutch FK - Van de Vaart sends in another good 'un, all it needs is a touch and it's in goal, but the ball skips merrily just past Van Nistelroy.
51 - Boulahrouz sees yellow for a tackle on Arshavin, who touched the ball just out of reach of Boulahrouz.
54 - Boulahrouz is now off - Heitinga in - perhaps a good move, because perhaps Boulahrouz, with everything he's dealt with, is having trouble keeping his head in the game. Plus he has a yellow.
55 - So does Van Persie, now. Russia's free kick goes barely wide.
GOAL! Russia attack right off the goal kick, Arshavin passes to Simek, who crosses to Pavlyuchenko, who redirects beautifully into the net. Nice. 1-0 Russia.
57 - The goal would be a shocker, except Russia have looked the better team this whole game. Sharapova is probably very happy right now.
60 - Saenko getting treated for a head injury - a slight cut, looks like.
62 - Baby-baced Afellay coming in for the Dutch, replacing Engelaar. The Oranjie fans look grim and quiet.
65 - They rally a bit for this Dutch corner, but Van Persie misses the ball.
67 - the Dutch with a good bit of possession around the Russian box, but they can't get a shot off.
69 - De Jong cuts off a final pass in the box, but the Dutch concede a corner. Bilyaletdinov comes in for Russia, replacing Semshov
71 - Russia nearly puts the game away with a second goal, but Van der Sar stops the shot. Going the other way, Nistelroy gets a call - yellow for Kolodin for a foul on the edge of the box.
72 - Van Persie wastes the FK, shooting it way high.
75 - The Dutch are looking both desperate and yet unimaginative. bad combo. They keep getting stuck around the Russian box.
76 - Snjeider misses wide. Dutch fans look like their team - scared.
77 - Van de Vaart takes an outside shot - easily caught by Akinfeyev. The Russians counter immediately and Van de Sar has to make his own catch on the other end.
78 - Russia earn a corner. They keep the ball for a while, until Saemek sends his cross skipping along the top of the crossbar.
86 - GOAL! Just when it seemed like it couldn't be done, when Dutch heads drooped very low, a FK mades all the difference - Ruud Nistelroy gets around his defender in the box, just enough to send it to goal. 1-1 All square.
88 - Ooijer clears a cross in the box as Russia tries to come right back.
90 - Kolodin is booked - but not sent off immediately. The ref pulls a yellow for Kolodin - which would be his second, but then rescinds it after talking with his linesman. It didn't look like a bad foul - or even really a foul, at all.
Extra time - the Dutch might have the momentum now, but Russia are still very much in it.
92 - Snjieder from distance. Akinfeyev has it.
93 - Arshavin sneaks a low shot in, but van de Sar gets down for it. Going the other way, Van Nistelroy tries his luck - misses just high.
95 - Akinfeyev catches a Van Persie shot.
97 - Pavlyuchenko off the crossbar. He smacked that - so close.
100 - Torbinsky redirects an Arshavin pass - Van der Sar gets down for that one, too. Russia are scrapping for it, not merely waiting for penalties.
101 - Foul on Arshavin, the Russina devil for the Dutch, sets up a FK - that goes quite close. Kolodin put some wicked bend on that.
107 - Almost a PK for Russia, but the ref waves play on.
109 - Almost a goal for Russia as Van der Sar gets hung out to dry by his defenders, but the cross in front of the goal skips by unmolested.
111 - Torbinsky gets called for the late tackle on Van de Vaart - yellow card.
112 - GOAL! Russia will not leave it to penalty kicks, Arshavin attacks again. He's almost out of room on the left side when he sends in the cross, which somehow stays in and Torbinsky gets a foot on the ball to put it into the goal. 2-1 Russia. What a shocker! Now the Dutch are chasing again.
114 - Pavlyuchenko comes out for Sychev.
116 - Sychev sends a shot high.
117 - GOAL! Arshavin nutmegs Van der Sar to extend the lead. Wow. Great stuff. 3-1 - Russia. Sharapova is probably trying to find out if Arshavin is single.
120 - Russia keep the pressure on the Dutch, who have all but surrendered.
120 + Traitor Guus looks to have done it.
Final Whistle! The Russians say "Spasibo" to the Dutch and move on.
Last gasp
Well, my dark horse pick to win the tournament, Croatia, is out of Euro 2008. Turkey seems charmed even if they're practically throwing the equipment guy on in the next match.
That leaves my sentimental pick, Spain, but I have absolutely no confidence in their intestinal fortitude. Skill they have in spades, but I doubt any other top soccer country has as fragile a psyche. History and tradition are solidly against them. Sentimentality isn't common sense, though, and I'm sticking with Spain to the bitter end (and it's always bitter and sour, like over-pickled gazpacho).
David Beckham, by the way, is also pulling for Spain. He has friends on the squad. His support didn't really help the Lakers versus the Celtics, though.
That leaves my sentimental pick, Spain, but I have absolutely no confidence in their intestinal fortitude. Skill they have in spades, but I doubt any other top soccer country has as fragile a psyche. History and tradition are solidly against them. Sentimentality isn't common sense, though, and I'm sticking with Spain to the bitter end (and it's always bitter and sour, like over-pickled gazpacho).
David Beckham, by the way, is also pulling for Spain. He has friends on the squad. His support didn't really help the Lakers versus the Celtics, though.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Portugal/Germany running blog
I'm switching back and forth from ESPN Deportes and regular ESPN for this, the first major clash of the quarterfinals.
The nearly-consensus #1 player in the world and his posse versus the German machine of soccer efficiency.
Mario Kempes is calling out Ballack and Ronaldo, saying they have to step up for their teams.
Portugal: Ricardo, Bosingwa, Pepe, Carvalho, Ferreira, Petit, Joao Moutinho, Ronaldo, Deco, Simao, Nuno Gomes. Subs: Nuno, Rui Patricio, Bruno Alves, Fernando Meira, Raul Meireles, Hugo Almeida, Miguel, Jorge Ribeiro, Quaresma, Veloso, Nani, Postiga.
Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Rolfes, Ballack, Hitzlsperger, Klose, Podolski. Subs: Enke, Adler, Jansen, Fritz, Westermann, Frings, Gomez, Neuville, Trochowski, Borowski, Odonkor, Kuranyi.
Predictions - get them in quick! I say, 2-1 Portugal - Goals by Ronny, Simao and Podolski.
Anthems - the Germans all sing along, arms linked. The camaraderie from the Klinsy era looks to have carried over, even though coach Jogi Low is stuck in the stands for this match.
Portugal is also singing their anthem, which seems to have a chorus of "Huzzah" somewhere towards the end. Their uniforms are bright red - I miss the former wine color a bit.
No hardman Torsti for this game, he's suspended. Lehman is literally pulling up the field - it must have been laid yesterday. He pats pieces back down.
Kickoff!
1- Lahm on the attack, fouls. Portugal ball.
3 - Ricardo out of the box - takes ball on his thigh and runs forward before booting it clear. Weird. Podolski fouls Simao.
4 - Ronny on the counter - on the edge of the box - takes shot. Lehman has it.
6 - Lahm's pass into the box cut off, but Germany quickly regain possession. They've looked more in control so far, but that didn't last versus Croatia.
8 - Germany FK comes to nothing.
10 Hitzberger - outside shot, hits the outside of the side netting.
11 - Portugal in the area - get snuffed by German defense. Mario calls out Ronaldo for not showing any "magic" yet.
12 - Metzelder and Petit in the Portugal area go down grimacing - it's a wash as to who gets the call. Portugal.
14 - Klose overlaps forward, but he's not much fro dribbling past people and loses the ball on the edge of the box.
17 - Germany still with most of the ball - Portugal settling into a rhythm on their counter attempts.
18 - Germany counter. Ballack puts the service wide and high.
20 - Ronny earns a Portugal corner, which Simao puts over everyone in the box, but Portugal get the bal back and Bosingwa puts a great ball in for Moutinho, who blows it by not getting down to head the ball properly. The cross bounces off his thigh and pops up over the crossbar.
22 - GOAL! The Germans strike first. Podolski makes a run, pushes off to get the space for the cross and Schweinsteiger puts it away. 1-0 and it's looking like WC 2006 all over again.
25 - Boom, boom, opportunity lost for Portugal, opportunity cashed in by Germany. That's the way it goes. Moutinho was down for a bit with an injury - or perhaps heartbreak over his miss.
26 - GOAL! Schweinsteiger puts the ball in well from a FK, Klose loses his mark (Ronaldo, apparently) and nails the ball in over Ricardo. 2-0 Germany.
29 - Deco on the attack, to a chorus of boos. Apparently the Swiss and Austrian hosts have adopted the Germans - or the Germans bought out most of the stadium.
31 - Portuguese attack keeps getting held up at the edge of the box. Simao puts in a free kick. Germany clear.
32 - Ronaldo and Simao in the box, pass in, gets cut off for corner. Could have done better there. Corner gets cleared.
36 - Now Portugal claim most of the ball, while the Germans are content to counter, saving energy to defend stoutly.
38 - Corner to the Portuguese - caught by Lehman.
39 - Ballack is down, took a bit of an elbow to the clavicle, but Gray is grousing about the dramatics, not seeing it as a valid injury of any kind.
40 - GOAL! Ronaldo gets free from his defender and receives the ball in the box. He shoots quickly, and Lehman dives to stop the low, hard attempt, but can't hang on to the rebound. It's behind Gomes, but he turns for it quickly and shoots it into the net before Lehman can get up or other defenders close him down. 2-1 Germany. My scoreline, but in the wrong direction.
45 - Lahm dishes to Ballack, who brings ball to edge of box and shoots near post, forcing a save from Ricardo.
45 + Ronaldo - going the other way, goes barely wide with a far post shot. Is Jogi Low picking his nose? It's hard to tell with the fuzzy shot of him behind the class. Maybe he was just scratching his nose or rubbing his upper lip.
Halftime - Germany deserve the lead, they attacked a bit more and put away their chances, but Portugal sparked to life late, so the second half should be a dynamic one.
46 - Ronaldo gets past Friedrich, who gets called for a foul - yellow.
49 - Lahm gets a yellow for grabbing at Simao after Simao also picks the ball off him.
52 - Portugal look far more lively so far than the Germans, who seem a bit surly that their lead has been halved.
54 - Ronaldo bangs heads with Mertesacker in the box. He's rubbing it with scowl, like a little kid who got bumped.
56 - Ronaldo sends the ball into the box, but Lehmann is out for it and catches.
57 - Corner for Portugal - Deco flicks it on, Pepe's in front of goal - pops it over. Yikes. That wasn't perfectly easy, but it was a pretty simple finish.
59 - Another corner for Portugal - but it pops out quickly. Pepe takes down Klose and gets a yellow. Gray doesn't see consistent calls from the ref. Schweinsteiger changes his shoes while Klose takes a break.
62 - GOAL! Schweinsteiger sends the ball in - Ballack pushes off slightly in the box and beats Ricardo to the ball - into the net. 3-1 Germany.
64 - So much for the momentum of Portugal. Once again, the German took place right after Portugal missed a golden chance the other end. It apparently makes them lose focus, while the Germans gain concentration and urgency to make a play. Gray is going on about the poor free kick defense of Portugal. It is pretty tragic.
67 - Scolari takes Gomes off, Nani comes in. Ronaldo takes the armband.
68 - Portugal free kick - Ronny sends it over the wall and over the bar by a good margin.
69 - Nani in the box, got there by hard work, but loses the ball once he gets there.
70 - Lahm wide from edge of box. Germany moving the ball with confidence, now that their two-goal lead is restored.
71 - Deco takes an outside shot on the other end. Lehman has it.
73 - Borowski comes in for Hitzberger. Portugal set up for a corner. Postiga comes in for Petit. Corner over everyone, and negated by a foul anyway. Goal kick.
75 - Nani high and wide from outside. Portugal are not making good choices here.
77 - Almost everyone is back for Germany, pushing back against the pressure from Portugal.
78 - Deco hits a weak shot, Lehmann has it.
79 - Germany have a corner. It's cleared, but trickles out to Podolski, who takes a Blanco-like run toward it, connects with force and rockets just wide. Sheesh.
81 - Portugal's passes have lost their crispness. Another corner for Germany. It's cleared out for a Portuguese counter and they have numbers on the break, but then Simao pops off from outside another cruddy miss.
83 - Corner for Portugal. Schweinsteiger is out for Fritz. Schweinsteiger gets a big cheer.
84 - Grey laments the missed chances of the Portuguese and their sad defending of set plays.
85 - Dang! Little Deco hip-checks Fritz over the sideline, killing a German attack and starting another attack for Portugal.
86 - Postiga tries to reach a ball - runs into Lehmann. He's down. Where's Gray's complaints about injury exaggeration now? Oh, here he goes, says he doesn't blame Lehmann for taking his time - anyone would do that.
87 - GOAL! The Portuguese refuse to die! Simao can't shoot, but dang, his cross to Postiga is perfect and Postiga can smack a header, which he does. 3-2. Germany still lead, but Portugal are within shouting distance.
89 - Klose is out for Jansen as Germany go uber-defensive trying to hold on.
90 - Postiga sees yellow for a late tackle. Germany in the box, but ball is wide for goal kick. Portugal get it back, are circling the German goal, where defenders are making a wall around the box. Nani goes high and wide. Gripping stuff - Portugal with the ball, Germany with the numbers back. Nani serves ball in, but Postiga pushes off. Goal kick. Portugal is almost out of time - one last attack, but they're having trouble getting the ball forward. Ronaldo chases a pass down, but his cross is cleared far back, again a cross, cleared to Podolski - who pushes forward. He doesn't go to corner, he takes the ball to goal and shoots. Ricardo catches, and kicks it out, but as the ball falls, the final whistle blows. 3-2. Germany advances. Scolari is off to coach Chelsea. Low will be back on the bench for the semi.
The nearly-consensus #1 player in the world and his posse versus the German machine of soccer efficiency.
Mario Kempes is calling out Ballack and Ronaldo, saying they have to step up for their teams.
Portugal: Ricardo, Bosingwa, Pepe, Carvalho, Ferreira, Petit, Joao Moutinho, Ronaldo, Deco, Simao, Nuno Gomes. Subs: Nuno, Rui Patricio, Bruno Alves, Fernando Meira, Raul Meireles, Hugo Almeida, Miguel, Jorge Ribeiro, Quaresma, Veloso, Nani, Postiga.
Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Rolfes, Ballack, Hitzlsperger, Klose, Podolski. Subs: Enke, Adler, Jansen, Fritz, Westermann, Frings, Gomez, Neuville, Trochowski, Borowski, Odonkor, Kuranyi.
Predictions - get them in quick! I say, 2-1 Portugal - Goals by Ronny, Simao and Podolski.
Anthems - the Germans all sing along, arms linked. The camaraderie from the Klinsy era looks to have carried over, even though coach Jogi Low is stuck in the stands for this match.
Portugal is also singing their anthem, which seems to have a chorus of "Huzzah" somewhere towards the end. Their uniforms are bright red - I miss the former wine color a bit.
No hardman Torsti for this game, he's suspended. Lehman is literally pulling up the field - it must have been laid yesterday. He pats pieces back down.
Kickoff!
1- Lahm on the attack, fouls. Portugal ball.
3 - Ricardo out of the box - takes ball on his thigh and runs forward before booting it clear. Weird. Podolski fouls Simao.
4 - Ronny on the counter - on the edge of the box - takes shot. Lehman has it.
6 - Lahm's pass into the box cut off, but Germany quickly regain possession. They've looked more in control so far, but that didn't last versus Croatia.
8 - Germany FK comes to nothing.
10 Hitzberger - outside shot, hits the outside of the side netting.
11 - Portugal in the area - get snuffed by German defense. Mario calls out Ronaldo for not showing any "magic" yet.
12 - Metzelder and Petit in the Portugal area go down grimacing - it's a wash as to who gets the call. Portugal.
14 - Klose overlaps forward, but he's not much fro dribbling past people and loses the ball on the edge of the box.
17 - Germany still with most of the ball - Portugal settling into a rhythm on their counter attempts.
18 - Germany counter. Ballack puts the service wide and high.
20 - Ronny earns a Portugal corner, which Simao puts over everyone in the box, but Portugal get the bal back and Bosingwa puts a great ball in for Moutinho, who blows it by not getting down to head the ball properly. The cross bounces off his thigh and pops up over the crossbar.
22 - GOAL! The Germans strike first. Podolski makes a run, pushes off to get the space for the cross and Schweinsteiger puts it away. 1-0 and it's looking like WC 2006 all over again.
25 - Boom, boom, opportunity lost for Portugal, opportunity cashed in by Germany. That's the way it goes. Moutinho was down for a bit with an injury - or perhaps heartbreak over his miss.
26 - GOAL! Schweinsteiger puts the ball in well from a FK, Klose loses his mark (Ronaldo, apparently) and nails the ball in over Ricardo. 2-0 Germany.
29 - Deco on the attack, to a chorus of boos. Apparently the Swiss and Austrian hosts have adopted the Germans - or the Germans bought out most of the stadium.
31 - Portuguese attack keeps getting held up at the edge of the box. Simao puts in a free kick. Germany clear.
32 - Ronaldo and Simao in the box, pass in, gets cut off for corner. Could have done better there. Corner gets cleared.
36 - Now Portugal claim most of the ball, while the Germans are content to counter, saving energy to defend stoutly.
38 - Corner to the Portuguese - caught by Lehman.
39 - Ballack is down, took a bit of an elbow to the clavicle, but Gray is grousing about the dramatics, not seeing it as a valid injury of any kind.
40 - GOAL! Ronaldo gets free from his defender and receives the ball in the box. He shoots quickly, and Lehman dives to stop the low, hard attempt, but can't hang on to the rebound. It's behind Gomes, but he turns for it quickly and shoots it into the net before Lehman can get up or other defenders close him down. 2-1 Germany. My scoreline, but in the wrong direction.
45 - Lahm dishes to Ballack, who brings ball to edge of box and shoots near post, forcing a save from Ricardo.
45 + Ronaldo - going the other way, goes barely wide with a far post shot. Is Jogi Low picking his nose? It's hard to tell with the fuzzy shot of him behind the class. Maybe he was just scratching his nose or rubbing his upper lip.
Halftime - Germany deserve the lead, they attacked a bit more and put away their chances, but Portugal sparked to life late, so the second half should be a dynamic one.
46 - Ronaldo gets past Friedrich, who gets called for a foul - yellow.
49 - Lahm gets a yellow for grabbing at Simao after Simao also picks the ball off him.
52 - Portugal look far more lively so far than the Germans, who seem a bit surly that their lead has been halved.
54 - Ronaldo bangs heads with Mertesacker in the box. He's rubbing it with scowl, like a little kid who got bumped.
56 - Ronaldo sends the ball into the box, but Lehmann is out for it and catches.
57 - Corner for Portugal - Deco flicks it on, Pepe's in front of goal - pops it over. Yikes. That wasn't perfectly easy, but it was a pretty simple finish.
59 - Another corner for Portugal - but it pops out quickly. Pepe takes down Klose and gets a yellow. Gray doesn't see consistent calls from the ref. Schweinsteiger changes his shoes while Klose takes a break.
62 - GOAL! Schweinsteiger sends the ball in - Ballack pushes off slightly in the box and beats Ricardo to the ball - into the net. 3-1 Germany.
64 - So much for the momentum of Portugal. Once again, the German took place right after Portugal missed a golden chance the other end. It apparently makes them lose focus, while the Germans gain concentration and urgency to make a play. Gray is going on about the poor free kick defense of Portugal. It is pretty tragic.
67 - Scolari takes Gomes off, Nani comes in. Ronaldo takes the armband.
68 - Portugal free kick - Ronny sends it over the wall and over the bar by a good margin.
69 - Nani in the box, got there by hard work, but loses the ball once he gets there.
70 - Lahm wide from edge of box. Germany moving the ball with confidence, now that their two-goal lead is restored.
71 - Deco takes an outside shot on the other end. Lehman has it.
73 - Borowski comes in for Hitzberger. Portugal set up for a corner. Postiga comes in for Petit. Corner over everyone, and negated by a foul anyway. Goal kick.
75 - Nani high and wide from outside. Portugal are not making good choices here.
77 - Almost everyone is back for Germany, pushing back against the pressure from Portugal.
78 - Deco hits a weak shot, Lehmann has it.
79 - Germany have a corner. It's cleared, but trickles out to Podolski, who takes a Blanco-like run toward it, connects with force and rockets just wide. Sheesh.
81 - Portugal's passes have lost their crispness. Another corner for Germany. It's cleared out for a Portuguese counter and they have numbers on the break, but then Simao pops off from outside another cruddy miss.
83 - Corner for Portugal. Schweinsteiger is out for Fritz. Schweinsteiger gets a big cheer.
84 - Grey laments the missed chances of the Portuguese and their sad defending of set plays.
85 - Dang! Little Deco hip-checks Fritz over the sideline, killing a German attack and starting another attack for Portugal.
86 - Postiga tries to reach a ball - runs into Lehmann. He's down. Where's Gray's complaints about injury exaggeration now? Oh, here he goes, says he doesn't blame Lehmann for taking his time - anyone would do that.
87 - GOAL! The Portuguese refuse to die! Simao can't shoot, but dang, his cross to Postiga is perfect and Postiga can smack a header, which he does. 3-2. Germany still lead, but Portugal are within shouting distance.
89 - Klose is out for Jansen as Germany go uber-defensive trying to hold on.
90 - Postiga sees yellow for a late tackle. Germany in the box, but ball is wide for goal kick. Portugal get it back, are circling the German goal, where defenders are making a wall around the box. Nani goes high and wide. Gripping stuff - Portugal with the ball, Germany with the numbers back. Nani serves ball in, but Postiga pushes off. Goal kick. Portugal is almost out of time - one last attack, but they're having trouble getting the ball forward. Ronaldo chases a pass down, but his cross is cleared far back, again a cross, cleared to Podolski - who pushes forward. He doesn't go to corner, he takes the ball to goal and shoots. Ricardo catches, and kicks it out, but as the ball falls, the final whistle blows. 3-2. Germany advances. Scolari is off to coach Chelsea. Low will be back on the bench for the semi.
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